Tourism As A Development Strategy In… Tunisia

Development Tunisia has an established tourist industry benefitting from its Mediterranean location and its tradition of low-cost package holidays from Western Europe. The Tunisian government has actively promoted tourism; between 1970 and 1992 the number of hotels rose from 212 to over 550, and the number of bed spaces increased from 34,000 to about 135,000. Nearly 2 million European tourists entered Tunisia in 1992, in addition to over 1.5 million visitors from North Africa.

Development However, tourist numbers have fluctuated and Tunisia has been unable to attract the high-spending US visitors, largely due to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and political instability in the region. In Tunisia, the tourist industry earns over US$900 million and employs over 50,000 people. Given the state involvement in Tunisia, a high proportion of its earnings remain in the country.

What Has Been Done? Most of the employment is low-paid and unskilled, such as waiters, kitchen staff, and cleaners, while many of the managers are foreign workers. To combat this, the Tunisian government has established a number of training schools. The country also needs to develop its agricultural sector in order to provide food for the tourist market and to reduce expensive imports.

Tourism Planning The Tunisian government has developed a series of five-year National Development Plans. The development of tourism has been an increasingly important element of these plans. The Seventh National Development Plan (1986-89) set up some targets…

Seventh National Development Plan (1986-89) Bed spaces to increase by 19% to 118,000. Bed occupancy to increase by 42% to 18 million bed nights. Direct employment to increase by 13% to 46,000. Total investment to increase by 72% to approximately $1435 million. Annual tourism receipts to increase from 4% to $932 million.

Range Of Investments Infrastructural investments, especially transport routes. Promotion and marketing, especially since the recession of the 1980’s and the Gulf War of the early 1990’s. Training programmes. Regional initiatives aimed at diversification of attractions and the development of new tourist areas.

As Time Went On… The Seventh National Development Plan announced several new tourist areas, including an integrated resort at Port El Kantaoui with over 13,000 bed spaces, a marina, restaurants, and a range of sports facilities. Smaller schemes were planned for Hergla and Gamarth.

In Addition… Projects on the undeveloped Northern Tunisian coasts and proposals for new tourist access to the Arridge Interior in Southern Tunisia were announced. At Tabarka, on the Northern Coast, a new integrated tourist route has been created, linking the coast with the desert and mountain oasis at Tamerza. This follows the old Arab trading routes and uses accommodation in modern versions of the traditional caravaneserai (hotels or staging posts).

Tourism Today France, Germany, Italy, and the UK are the 4 traditional tourist markets, though Tunisia lost roughly 500,000 tourists from Germany after the events of 9/11. From 2003-04, it regained tourists, and 2007 saw arrivals increasing by 3% on 2006.

Activity Using Advanced Geography P417, answer the following… Why are more people from the “Developed World” taking holidays in Tunisia? What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourism to developing countries such as Tunisia? It is argued that tourism causes environmental damage but it can also lead to environmental protection. Discuss.